Mop wringer

ABSTRACT

A mop wringer including a substantially funnel-shaped member with perforations at the lower end portion of the walls thereof, a piston member cooperating with the perforated walls of the funnel for wringing a mop, and foot operated lever means for moving the piston.

United States Patent v [1 1 3,699,606

Ribas 1 Oct. 24, 1972 1541 MOP WRINGER U I 835,043 11/1906 Stewart ..100/293x 969,229 9/1910 Wetmore ..15/261 [72] Invent f g f 2 1,044,101 11/1912 Stelleretal ..15/262 was 1,184,543 5/1916 Lepak ..15/261 Devebpmew Peldras, 1,500,058 7/1924 Courtemanche ..15/261 00926 2,159,577 I 5/1939 Walters ..'.....15/261 [22] Filed: Sept. 27, 1971 Primary ExaminerDaniel Blum [211 App]. No.: 184,119 Attorney -Herbert I. Cantor et al.

Related US. Application Data 57] ABSTRACT A mop wringer including a substantially funnel-shaped [63] Continuation-impart of Ser. No. 40,243, May

' member with perforations at the lower end portion of 25, 1970, abandoned.

the walls thereof, a piston member cooperating with [52] US. Cl. ..15/261, 100/126, 100/266 the f ated ll of th f n l for wringing a mop, [5 l 1 Int. Cl. ..A47l r and foot operated leve means for moving th i t [58] Field of Search ..15/260, 261, 262;' 68/24l; 1

IOU/243,293, 126

[56] fi Cited 5 Claims, 2 Drawing Figures UNITED STATESPATENTS 65,330 6/1867 Barnes ..15/261 MOP WRINGER CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS This application is a continuation-in-part of my earlier filed application Ser. No. 40,243, filed May 25, 1970, for TOPSY MOP WRINGER, now abandoned.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Over a long period of time the most inexpensive and commonly used type of mop for cleaning floors has proven to be the string or rag mop. Basically, such a mop comprises a long handle with a bale or other arrangement at one end thereof to hold the mop head. The mop head comprises a plurality of thrums or short pieces of yarn. In common use the mop is immersed in acleaning solution, commonly soapy water, in a mop bucket and then vigorously rubbed on the floor surface to loosen and remove the dirt. The mop is then squeezed or wrung out and used to absorb the dirty water remaining on the floor.

Originally, the mop was wrung out by merely twisting with the hands, but this proved to be inefiicient as well as harmful to the hands. Over a period of many years various types of mechanical wringers have been proposed for performing this function, each of these wringers exhibiting the two basic features of, first, being more efficient than manual wringing, and, second, keeping the users hands dry. Some of the earliest such devices consisted of a stationary horizontal roller and a second horizontal roller whose axis could be moved so that a nip would be formed between the two rollers. Thus, the mop would be inserted between the rollers, the rollers would be brought together against the mop, and the mop would be withdrawn upwardly to thereby squeeze the water out of the same. Another type of device which was proposed substituted a pair of flat plates for the rollers and was operated by merely inserting the mop between the flat plates and bringing them together to exert squeezing pressure on the mop. In both general types of devices a hand operated lever was used which required the operator to assume an awkward position. Also, in use, these devices being mounted on the bucket, the bucket became unstable and often tipped over thereby undoing the already completed cleaning operation.

Various other types of devices have been proposed which eliminated the need for manual operation by substituting a series of levers and a foot pedal to operate a moveable pressing member. Each of these devices suffered from one or more drawbacks or disadvantages and proved, in many instances, to solve one problem only by introducing or ignoring another. For instance, in certain of these devices the mop was inserted at an angle which was inefficient to use and uncomfortable for the operator. Some of these devices did not solve the problem of instability and required some additional appendage for holding the bucket in place. Furthermore, certain of these devices provided a pressing plate which required greater movement at one end than at the other in order to achieve a flush mating surface. To achieve this type of operation, complicated linkages had to be devised, which linkages easily went awry.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Accordingly, it is a primary object of the present invention to provide a mop wringer which is free of the aforementioned and other such disadvantages.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a mop wringer which is efficient and comfortable for the operator to use.

It is still another object of the present invention to provide a mop wringer which is simple and inexpensive to manufacture and easy to use.

It is yet another object of the present invention, consistent with the foregoing objects, to provide a mop wringer in combination with a bucket which can be transported in a compact manner and easily arranged for use.

Accordingly, in order to implement these and still further objects of the present invention, which will become more readily apparent as the description thereof proceeds, it should be noted that the mop wringer of the present invention in its broadest aspects comprises a substantially funnel-shaped member with perforations at the lower end portion of the walls thereof, a piston member cooperating with the perforated walls of the funnel for wringing a mop, and foot operated lever means for moving the piston.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING This invention will be better understood, and objects other than those set forth above will become apparent, when consideration is given to the following detailed description thereof. Such description makes reference to the annexed drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 is a plan view of a pail and mop wringer according to the present invention; and

FIG. 2 is a side elevational view of the bucket and mop wringer shown in FIG. 1, partially in cross section for illustrative clarity.

Like reference characters refer to like parts throughout the several views of the drawing.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION Referring now to the drawings, and more particularly to FIG. 1, a conventional mop bucket is generally designated by the numeral 10 and the mop wringer is generally designated by the numeral 12. The bucket can be any conventional type of pail, although the preferred mop bucket has at least two parallel sides 14 and 16 which are flat rather than arcuate, at least for a substantial portion thereof. Thus, in a preferred embodiment, the bucket 10 is generally oval. In the em bodiment shown, the bucket 10 is circular at the bottom thereof gradually tapering to a generally oval configuration. The bucket 10 has a conventional wire handle 18 which is broken away for illustrative clarity.

The mop wringer 12 includes a funnel 20 which, as seen in the plan view, is elongate, generally being approximately equal in length to the width of the bucket 10 at its upper portion. The funnel 20 has a front wall 22, a rear wall 24, end walls 26 and 28, and bottom 30. Front wall 22 is generally vertical and extends downwardly into the pail 10. Bottom 30 extends rearwardly in the bucket 10 from front wall 22. Rear wall 24 slopes forwardly and downwardly and ends at approximately the level of the rim 32 of bucket 10. Side walls 26 and 28 can also terminate at approximately the rim 32 of the bucket or could extend down into bucket 10 as far as the bottom 30 of the funnel 20. The bottom 30 of funnel contains a plurality of perforations 34 for draining the water squeezed from the mop back into bucket 10. Determination of the size of the perforations 34 as well as the spacing is well known in the art and need not be described further. The number and size of the perforations should be sufficient to provide rapid drainage from the funnel 20 into the bucket 10 during a brief squeezing operation on the mop, so that the mop does not re-absorb the liquid upon release of pressure. That portion of front wall 22 which extends inside bucket 10 may also be perforated. It should also be understood that the funnel 20 can be made of any suitable material known in the art such as galvanized steel, and the like. The funnel 20 is secured to the bucket 10 at the upper portion thereof by any suitable means such as nuts and bolts 36. Of course, if a round or circular bucket is used, a mounting frame, of a type shown in the aforementioned parent application Ser. No. 40,243, could be used.

A piston,'generally designated 38, moves forwardly and rearwardly in the lower portion of funnel 20. The piston 38 includes squeeze plate 40 having a front surface 42 and top and bottom surfaces 44 and 46, respectively. The squeeze plate 40 can be fabricated of any suitable material such as sheet galvanized steel, this being easy to bend and shape into the required configuration. The squeeze, or presser, plate 40 has a length substantially the same as that of funnel 20, allowing enough clearance for mounting means 36 and the like. In height, front surface 42 is approximately equal to the distance between bottom of funnel 20 and the upper rim 32 of the bucket 10. Forward surface 42 of the presser plate is parallel to front wall 22 of funnel 20. Presser plate 40 could also be perforated to assist in the drainage. Fixedly secured to the rear of forward surface 42 of squeeze plate 40 are a pair of spaced apart ears 48 and 50. Ears 48 and 50 are fixedly secured to the squeeze plate 40 in any suitable manner such as by welding, and extend rearwardly with the bottom and top edges generally converging toward the rear end portion thereof.

Operating lever means, generally designated by the numeral 50, for piston 38 generally comprises arms 52 extending upwardly from a fulcrum at studs 54, and arm 56 extending forwardly from the fulcrum and generally encircling the front of the bucket 10. A foot pedal 58 is suitable affixed to arm 56 at its forwardmost central location. Arms 52 extend generally upwardly to just above the rim 32 of the bucket 10. Crosspiece 60 is affixed to the upper end of each of arms 52 and extends across the width of the bucket 10. A pair of ears 62 and 64 depend downwardly from cross-piece 60 at spaced apart locations generally coinciding with ears 48 and 50, respectively. Ears 62 and 64 are pivotally affixed to ears 48 and 50 by any suitable means such as rivets, studs secured by nuts or cotter pins, or a bar 66 extending slightly beyond ears 62 and 64 at each end and secured with a cotter pin or the like. Lever 50 pivots about a fulcrum provided by studs 54 fixedly secured to the outside of the bucket 10 by any suitable means such as welding. Of course, the studs could be in the form of bolts secured to the bucket 10 through suitable fittings secured to the walls of the same. Lever 50 is biased by a coil spring 68 connected to a support 70 affixed to the side of the pail 10 at one end and to a hole 72 in lever arm 56 at the other end. i

In use, the mop is inserted directly into funnel 20, the downwardly and inwardly sloping rear wall 24 helping to guide the mop into the lower portion where it will be held between piston 38 and the lower portion of front wall 22. It will be appreciated, as shown in FIG. 2, that squeeze plate 40, comprising the forward surface of piston 38, when in its rearward rest position forms what may be considered a vertical lower extension of rear wall 24. Thus, the mop, when it is inserted in the funnel 20, is guided easily into the area where it will be squeezed. When the mop is in the proper position, pressure is exerted on foot pedal 58 thereby forcing arm 56 downwardly and causing the lever 50 to pivot about fulcrum 54. Arms 52 then move forwardly pushing piston 38 toward front wall 22. Due to the pivot at 66, squeeze plate 42 of piston 38 maintains its vertical configuration throughout its path of travel. An even pressure is exerted on the mop causing the water to be squeezed therefrom thereby dropping through perforations 34 back into the bucket 10. When the wringing operation is completed pressure is let up on foot pedal 58 thereby allowing spring 68 to pull arm 56 upwardly. When arm 56 moves upwardly, arms 52 move rearwardly carrying piston 38. The mop may then be removed from the funnel 20. The extent of the rearward travel of piston 38 may be determined by adjustable or non-adjustable stops (not shown) bearing upon piston 38, arms 52, arm 56, or any other part of the lever 50, in a manner well known in the art. Alternatively, the placement of fulcrum 54 and the length of arms 52 and 56, respectively, can be easily determined so cross-bar 60, at its rear edge, rests upon rim 32 to thereby arrest travel of lever 50 and piston 38. These parameters are, of course, easily determined by one of ordinary skill in the art.

While the present invention has been described in terms of a preferred embodiment wherein the funnel is fabricated in one piece, it should be clearly understood that the same may be fabricated in two pieces in a manner well known in the art for ease in shipping. Similarly, for ease in shipping, the wringer 12 may be fabricated in several pieces for assembly by the ultimate user or, on the other hand, may be completely fabricated and assembled before shipment. Additionally, the combination of the bucket and wringer of the present invention may be completely fabricated by the manufacturer before shipping.

It should be apparent from the foregoing detailed description that the objects set forth hereinabove have been successfully achieved. Moreover, while there is shown and described a present preferred embodiment of the present invention, it is to be distinctly understood that the invention is not limited thereto but may otherwise variously embodied and practiced within the scope of the claims. ACCORDINGLY,

What is claimed is:

1. A mop wringer for use in combination with a pail, said wringer comprising funnel means having a vertical front wall extending into said pail, an inwardly and downwardly sloping rear wall extending downwardly to the region of the rim of said pail, a pair of opposing parallel side walls, and a bottom member extending rearwardly from said front wall; said bottom member having a plurality of perforations; piston means having a vertical squeeze plate at its forward end facing said front wall, said piston means being approximately equal in length to said funnel means and extending in height from said bottom member to the region of said rim; lever means, said lever means having a first, yoke-like, arm adapted to encircle the front and portions of the sides of said pail, a second, generally upwardly extending, arm, said arms rotating about a fulcrum such that downward movement of said first arm causes forward movement of said second arm, and pressure applying means on said first arm; and biasing means tending to maintain said first arm in an upward position; said piston means being pivotally operatively connected to said second arm; whereby downward pressure on said pressure applying means causes said piston to move forwardly, said squeeze plate, remaining substantially vertical throughout its travel, to thereby wring liquid from a mop inserted in said funnel means.

2. A mop wringer as defined in claim 1, whereby said piston means further comprises a pair of first ear members extending rearwardly from said squeeze plate; and said lever means further comprises a pair of spacedapart opposed second arms and a cross-piece affixed to the upper ends of said second arms above said rim, and a pair of second ear members extending downwardly from said cross-piece; said first ear members being pivotally connected to said second car members.

3. A mop wringer as defined in claim 1, in combination with a pail, said lever being pivotally secured to said pail by pivot means, said pivot means providing said fulcrum.

4. A mop wringer as defined in claim 3, wherein said pivot means are studs secured to said pail.

5. A mop wringer as defined in claim 3, wherein said pail has at least two opposed, substantially flat parallel sides. 

1. A mop wringer for use in combination with a pail, said wringer comprising funnel means having a vertical front wall extending into said pail, an inwardly and downwardly sloping rear wall extending downwardly to the region of the rim of said pail, a pair of opposing parallel side walls, and a bottom member extending rearwardly from said front wall; said bottom member having a plurality of perforations; piston means having a vertical squeeze plate at its forward end facing said front wall, said piston means being approximately equal in length to said funnel means and extending in height from said bottom member to the region of said rim; lever means, said lever means having a first, yoke-like, arm adapted to encircle the front and portions of the sides of said pail, a second, generally upwardly extending, arm, said arms rotating about a fulcrum such that downward movement of said first arm causes forward movement of said second arm, and pressure applying means on said first arm; and biasing means tending to maintain said first arm in an upward position; said piston means being pivotally operatively connected to said second arm; whereby downward pressure on said pressure applying means causes said piston to move forwardly, said squeeze plate, remaining substantially vertical throughout its travel, to thereby wring liquid from a mop inserted in said funnel means.
 2. A mop wringer as defined in claim 1, whereby said piston means further comprises a pair of first ear members extending rearwardly from said squeeze plate; and said lever means further comprises a pair of spaced-apart opposed second arms and a cross-piece affixed to the upper ends of said second arms above said rim, and a pair of second ear members extending downwardly from said cross-piece; said first ear members being pivotally connected to said second ear members.
 3. A mop wringer as defined in claim 1, in combination with a pail, said lever being pivotally secured to said pail by pivot means, said pivot means providing said fulcrum.
 4. A mop wringer as defined in claim 3, wherein said pivot means are studs secured to said pail.
 5. A mop wringer as defined in claim 3, wherein said pail has at least two opposed, substantially flat parallel sides. 